Shelter the World | Helping People Build out of Poverty | FAQ

Did you know that the world needs to build a city to accommodate 5 million inhabitants EVERY WEEK?. This includes houses, schools, places of worship and fire, police, roads, bridges…

How bad is the world’s shelter problem?

Catastrophic. At this very moment, 1 in 5 people in this world don’t have adequate shelter. Within the 5 minutes you spend looking at this site, 300 people will join the ranks. By tomorrow, 86,000 will be houseless.

Why are so many without a home?

Sometimes it’s due to an earthquake, tsunami or other natural disaster. Some are displaced due to war and civil unrest while others are born in slums with little hope for change. It has many causes, but one effect. Being houseless equals being hopeless.

Are the slums really that bad? What are the effects to the residents?

Whether the cause is man made or natural, the effects are staggering. Each year tens of thousands die of heatstroke, dehydration and exposure to the elements due to lack of shelter. Hundreds of millions more do the best they can, using unsuitable materials that rot, leak, lack proper ventilation and offer no protection from heat or cold. These makeshift shanties put them at increased risk of malaria, emphysema and other severe illnesses. Some shelters require large amounts of wood to be collected and burned for heating and cooking, putting women and children at risk for sexual assault while out scouting for timber.

How can a simple shelter change lives when the residents are still living in poverty?

In addition to the physical benefits of shelter, it also gives families a sense of well being and ownership. Stable homes increase opportunities to generate income and focus on education, stop endless construction, and lower fuel consumption. Yes, shelters truly do change lives.

Why isn’t the world meeting this need?

We believe the answer is simple: The harvest is many but the laborers are few. Very few have provided a way to produce an affordable, capable, long lasting shelter that is socially acceptable. The low cost options, like tents, are temporary. The long lasting options, like brick houses, take 30 – 40 days and cost much more to build.

How does SHELTER THE WORLD meet this need?

The solution is to teach people how to build better houses: Houses that are EASY to construct using low skilled workers so that entire villages can be housed quickly.

So, can I purchase a shelter or house for a charity or church group to build?

Absolutely. We will use the money to not only build houses but to better equip people by teaching them the skills they need to improve their own living conditions.

What countries are you helping?

We have relationships all over the world and will be with as many people as we can. When you get involved with Shelter the World you help us reach even more.

Is this a charity or non-profit?

YES, Shelter the World is a charitable nonprofit organization. Our mission is to inform the world about true living conditions for the majority of people and to assist in home building projects whenever possible. We are a cooperative ministry in affiliation with Hope For The Hungry.

What is EFCA?

Accountability is very important to us. EFCA is the Evangelical Council for Financial Accountability and ECFA is committed to helping Christ-centered organizations earn the public’s trust through developing and maintaining standards of accountability that convey God-honoring ethical practices.